A co-op manager who stole from his own supermarket had his case adjourned as an "act off humanity" so he could spend Christmas with his daughters.

Robert Warren, 33, of Castle Road, Nuneaton, had admitted three charges of false accounting and one of theft when he appeared before Nuneaton magistrates.

His case was committed to Warwick Crown Court and he was due to be sentenced on Tuesday - but the judge said he would adjourn the matter until next month on compassionate grounds.

The court heard how Warren, former manager of the food department in the Heart of England Co-op in Abbey Street, Nuneaton, stole to fuel his gambling addiction.

Between July and November, the father of two took National Lottery tickets and scratch cards and falsified the scratch card inventory and the weekly cash state-ments by entering incorrect lottery sales figures.

Neil Bannister, prosecuting, said the total amount the Co-op lost because of Warren's dishonesty was £14,500, plus alcohol worth £203 which he also stole.

But after reading a report on Warren, Judge Christopher Hodson said: "I think he will suffer further if he and his children are not together over the next few nights."

The judge said he would adjourn the case, adding: "I am only prepared to do this as a matter of humanity."